[D7 LA] Breaking a Sweat

[Soshi Kazumi]

Kazumi laughed lightly, bouncing a little to limber up "You know, it's a mystery for the ages. How does such a pretty face hide such a thick skull." Kazumi teased as they dropped into their stance

"Come and show me what you can do." They said raising their palm and curling all their fingers back twice rapidly to indicate the challenge.

[Yūrei]

Kazumi laughed lightly, bouncing a little to limber up "You know, it's a mystery for the ages. How does such a pretty face hide such a thick skull." Kazumi teased as they dropped into their stance

"Come and show me what you can do." They said raising their palm and curling all their fingers back twice rapidly to indicate the challenge.

Wrapping a fist against said skull
"From a lifetime of falling down I guess."

She rolls her shoulder and looses up before grinning...and launching a very sudden and very impractical flying kick at Kazumi, fairly sure it would be the last thing they'd expect.

[Soshi Kazumi]

And she is treated to wide eyes of shock as they certainly had not been expecting that! The moment of indecision cost Kazumi as they only had time to blade their body away from the kick so the impact on their side was only enough to spin them away, and probably leave a nice bruise, rather Crack ribs "Kami!" They cursed as they regained their bearings trying to reset before Yurei's next assault.

[Yūrei]

And she is treated to wide eyes of shock as they certainly had not been expecting that! The moment of indecision cost Kazumi as they only had time to blade their body away from the kick so the impact on their side was only enough to spin them away, and probably leave a nice bruise, rather Crack ribs "Kami!" They cursed as they regained their bearings trying to reset before Yurei's next assault.

With a wide grin Yūrei does her best to keep up the pressure, clearly more relaxed as instead of launching a pinpoint barrage she varies a routine of blows, primarily focusing on kicks.

"Nobody ever suspects" Huff-leg sweep "A flying kick."

[Soshi Kazumi]

Kazumi is entirely on the defensive. They hadn't been bolstering her ego when they said she was more skilled and with little time to think the best Kazumi could do was dodge and turn absorbing the blows and back peddle

"Thats because. It's. insane." They said breathing heavy between words as they smirked and jumped over the sweep.

[Yūrei]

Kazumi is entirely on the defensive. They hadn't been bolstering her ego when they said she was more skilled and with little time to think the best Kazumi could do was dodge and turn absorbing the blows and back peddle

"Thats because. It's. insane." They said breathing heavy between words as they smirked and jumped over the sweep.

"I did say I was only not a total idiot."
She feints left, jabs twice right and then goes low, launching herself into a tackle at the Scorpion's waist height with an energetic 'kiiiyah!'

[Soshi Kazumi]

Kazumi sees the feint and accounts for it blocking the jabs right but wasn't grounded enough to block the charge from the shorter woman. Her already lower center of gravity completely bowling the Scorpion over.

Breathing heavily on their back with the smaller ronin a top them Kazumi's arms flopped to the sides "Alright, alright you got me." They said with a tired smile.

[Yūrei]

Snip

Panting, she grins down at Kazumi.
"Sweet victory! I'll chalk this one up to my tactical brilliance."
She brushes some hairs out of her face and stands with a groan
"Gonna be sore in the morning though." Holding out her hand to them "Let's get you up. I think all the getting hit has my blood flowing enough to think clearly."

[Soshi Kazumi]

Kazumi took the hand and hopped up "Well thats good, get the body moving and get the mind thinking. Seems like it was a successful afternoon." Kazumi smiled at her

[Yūrei]

Kazumi took the hand and hopped up "Well thats good, get the body moving and get the mind thinking. Seems like it was a successful afternoon." Kazumi smiled at her

"Yeah...yeah."
Some of the flush fades from her cheeks but she shrugs it off, heading to grab a water bottle from her gym bag.
"I got 2 unexpected pieces of news. They're both a little...strange, I'm still trying to figure them both out. It doesn't rain, it pours I guess."

[Soshi Kazumi]

Kazumi leaned up against the wall catching their breath and raised an eyebrow "Oh? What kind of strange?" They asked crossing arms over their chest.

[Yūrei]

Kazumi leaned up against the wall catching their breath and raised an eyebrow "Oh? What kind of strange?" They asked crossing arms over their chest.

Yūrei's quiet for a few moments, chest rise and falling.

"I'm just gonna say it, since Ii have no idea how to frame it otherwise."

Deep breath
"Sakura-chan said she's in love with me."

Another deep breath
"And I found my parents their souls are imprisoned in the grove."

Another pause
"Fuck me, saying it out loud makes it real."

[Soshi Kazumi]

woah that was....a lot. the first news hit Kazumi oddly, they felt a very hard to describe pit in their stomach. jealousy? Maybe. Dread most likely.

But then the second words hit them and that was all pushed away in an instant by a myriad of feelings, horror, concern, and an intense need to do something.

Kazumi crossed the space in two steps the room secluded enough that propriety need not be observed, not in light of such tragic news. Kazumi wrapped Yurei in their arms and held her. Not tightly, not at first, if she didn't want the touch she would easily be able to step out. If she stayed though she would be squeezed gently. Regardless, whispered words would come from Kazumi "I'm so sorry."

[Yūrei]

Snip

Yūrei chokes back a sob, shuddering in Kazumi's grip for a second before taking a breath and gently pushing them back.
"T-thanks, it's been a lot. Still processing it all." Another sob tries to come out and she pushes it down viciously, eyes watering "Guess now I know, right? Lucky me, no more wondering."

[Soshi Kazumi]

She would meet no resistance pushing Kazumi back though their hands linger in her shoulders for a moment and trail down her arm giving her hand a squeeze before retreating a bit

Kazumi was at a bit of a loss "Do you know why?"

[Yūrei]

Snip

She shakes her slightly, clearing her eyes with a quick movement
"Some kind of project, whatever it was something must have been terribly wrong. Or maybe they were framed, or it's a cover. I... I'm gonna find out. I have a name I can chase."

She reaches up and squeezes Kazumi's hand back, thankful for the support spoken and unspoken.
"It's just, I wasn't expecting it."

[Soshi Kazumi]

Kazumi was quiet for a moment "Well shit." They say though the words still lack the enormity of what they are feeling. It was the worst punishment imaginable, reserved only for traitors and the worst crimes whatever it was her parents had done it had to have been extremely bad.

"This sounds like it's getting pretty big Yurei. The Grove, secret programs." Kazumi shook their head "I mean I know you're probably tired of hearing it but please let me know if I can help I trained at the Shosuro academy I have a lot of skills that could be useful." It was borderline risky for Kazumi to be talking about their real training in even a pseudo public setting like this but Kazuni needed Yurei to know she had back up.

[Yūrei]

Snip

"I know, Kazumi, I know."
She lays a finger on their mask tenderly.

"And I know you're sincere, so if I asked you to, you'd come. And that's why I can't. They put my parents in the Grove for this, imagine what they'd do to me...or you."
Firmly, the finger turns into a hand, cupping the mask's cheek.
"I'm gonna get to the bottom of this, and then I'll decide what to do."
Lowering her voice
"You're not the only one here who knows a thing or two from the academy."

[Soshi Kazumi]

Kazumi smiled their voice equally low "another thing I picked up on." You didn't have to be a genius to recognize the effects mixed with the work he knew she did it hadn't been too hard to at least suspect.

Kazumi took a breath "ok" they reached up and grabbed her hand holding it again for a moment "just be careful and don't get yourself killed, or worse." They said softly but with a seriousness.

"So that's one thing." Kazumi said hesitantly finally circling back "but before that you mentioned Hotaru-san..." They trailed off a bit apprehension creeping into their features

[Yūrei]

Kazumi smiled their voice equally low "another thing I picked up on." You didn't have to be a genius to recognize the effects mixed with the work he knew she did it hadn't been too hard to at least suspect.

Kazumi took a breath "ok" they reached up and grabbed her hand holding it again for a moment "just be careful and don't get yourself killed, or worse." They said softly but with a seriousness.

"So that's one thing." Kazumi said hesitantly finally circling back "but before that you mentioned Hotaru-san..." They trailed off a bit apprehension creeping into their features

"Yes, Sakura-chan. She's...told me she doesn't think of us as just ronin friends anymore."
Taking a deep breath.

"I...I mean, I think both of you are better than me. I mean, the celestial order, us very clear, you both are. So I don't- I just need to get it straight. You're both dear to me, really dear."
Softly
"Both of you have had my back. And that counts for a lot. And I...I don't want to hurt either of you, make anyone feel that I don't value them. So I wanted to be upfront."

Setting her shoulders
"I wish I had some perfect answer where I knew exactly what I wanted and how. But you're both too damn kind. So it might take some time."
Her voice betraying her own hesitation.
"Is, is that okay?"